Of course what works for one doesn't always work for another...But after attending the Family History Expo in Pleasanton last year, I learned some nice archiving tips during one of the classes there.
The instructor made a very good point when she pointed out, that if you don't make your discoveries easy to find by anyone coming behind you, all your hard work could go to waste or lost all over again. I for one, would like my kids to someday take the reins from me and keep the research and documenting going. So, I want to make it easy for them to follow what I've done. I have set up folders on my hard drive for the following sources: Admin - logins, passwords, favorite sites...etc Family Trees - Family tree reports and backup files for Family Tree software Pictures - All pictures - Sub folders for each Surname or subject ex: cemetery & church photos or Flags and symbols Primary - These are primary sources of information like Baptism and Birth records, Census, Wills, Immigration...etc. I have a sub folder for each type Seconday - These are secondary sources of information like correspondence, notes, general records. I also have binders for each of these. Although I only keep paper copies of things that are not easily replaced or re-found, things that wouldn't make it through a scanner, or things that are originals and have sentimental value to me. Eash binder is divided the same way the computer folders are. As your database grows, so will your need for storage if you keep everything you find on paper. (As well as killing trees to do it) ;p)...sorry the tree hugger in me is coming out. In each folder, the files are named in a consistent manner as to keep them grouped together and easy to find. For example: A will would be named like this: Medeiros-Jose-Will-1979.pdf, a marriage certificiate would be Medeiros-Jose-Mary Fernandes-1925.jpg Naming files consistently is VERY IMPORTANT! And lastly, as all of you are or should be alreasy aware.....BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP So there's my take on it. Jacki -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Karen Sent: Friday, March 18, 2011 9:19 AM To: Azores Genealogy Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] genealogy organization As I collect information on my Azorean roots, I enter it into my genealogy software program (I use Legacy).. But what do you do with the paper. When I started out, I didn't have much but slowly I'm collecting history, language, search sites, birth, marriage etc. certificates or transcriptions.. How do you organize this so you can find it. I would be interested in what you all use that works for you before I decide. Files,computer???? Thanks Karen -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
